3 Instructors Discuss the Pandemic’s Impact on Singapore’s Fitness Scene

With the popularity of apps like ClassPass and the power of word-of-mouth and social media marketing, chances are – you’ve already tried your hand at a new sport over the course of the past two years; more so if you’re a young millennial or part of Gen Z looking to try something new amid the boredom caused by restrictions. As such, Singapore’s fitness industry is now booming with new forms of activities, as well as more instructors joining the scene to give fitness gurus plenty of opportunities to keep fit despite a busy lifestyle. 

In this article, we talk to three young instructors who have made the switch to join the industry. Below, they share their thoughts on Singapore’s growing appreciation for fitness and trying new sports, as well as the resultant increase in sign-ups since the pandemic started. 

Tell us about your journey with spin.

I started going for spin classes after leaving an abusive relationship and wanted to get fit again. I had a close friend (an instructor at that time) who would let me into his spin classes for free if he had the extra slots and I slowly grew to really enjoy it! 

I was the kid in school who failed their fitness tests every year and would excuse myself out of sports, so my friends were all shocked to hear that I got into spin. 

What prompted you to make the switch from student to instructor?

I was going to spin pretty regularly and my close friend who was an instructor was telling me that his gym was hiring and training new instructors so I jumped at the opportunity. I trained for like 4 months, at least 4 hours a week, to train up my stamina (from previously being a couch potato) and to get over my stage fright. I loved the idea of picking out my own playlist and hyping up a whole room of people. I think the biggest prompt for me to become a spin instructor was that it was the closest thing to feeling like a DJ at a music festival.

How rewarding is it to teach as compared to just participating in the sport?

It’s a different kind of joy when I see a group of people sweating and enjoying themselves. And knowing they are experiencing that because of me? It feels really fulfilling, haha! One thing better than that is teaching a fundamental class of new riders and eventually seeing familiar faces grow stronger. When they start to attend regular classes and look more confident in their posture, it really feels like I’m a mother watching her children grow. 

From conversing with your students, what are some of the common reasons that Gen Z and millennials wish to join spin?

I have seen some really young riders saying they wanted to try spin because they never got to go clubbing because of Covid and that this was the closest thing. Honestly? I agree that this is the closest thing to clubbing we have until they open back up, but it’s better because you don’t have to deal with drunk people and hangovers. 

Why should people join spin?

Because it is so fun! I joined with no expectations and am staying for how great each class makes me feel, regardless of if I’m teaching a class or attending one. I would recommend new riders to definitely start off with beginners classes as it is really different from other sports and even gym buffs struggle to keep up their first few times. It takes time to build the muscles required and to have a good posture when riding so you don’t get injured! Regardless of what music genre you like, I’m certain you can find an instructor you can vibe with!

With her history with ballet and gymnastics as a child, it’s no surprise that Charmaine grew to love pole and aerial – sports in which strength and flexibility are both required. After close to four years of training, the 25-year-old now teaches pole and chair classes at Slap Dance Studio. 

Have you seen more sign-ups for the different apparatuses offered at Slap Dance Studio in recent months than before? If so, do you think the pandemic has directly prompted more people to work on their health and fitness routines?

Yes to more sign-ups! Majority of our classes are full. I definitely think the pandemic has a part to play. Safety management measures (SMMs) were very differentiated for the sports industry which caused quite a ruckus among dance studios versus typical gyms with equipment. I reckon this might have brought some attention to this scene. 

Increasing social media usage and word of mouth marketing also spurred on the increasing popularity of pole and aerial in Singapore. I have had multiple friends contacting me on social media (where I post media of my aerial journey) enquiring about pole and aerial classes that they could start with.

Another point could be the nature of our sport where we are forced to social distance. One apparatus to one person, no sharing, and a safer option in this time and day.

Why do you think people (Gen Z and millennials, in particular) are more inclined to try out new sports now as compared to before?

Increased spending power is one reason for sure, and younguns are adventurous. The reduced negative connotation of pole debunked with increased social media postings showcasing the many genres of pole and aerial such as lyrical, contemporary, and not just exotic and sexual. After all, it is a dance sport with the utilisation of an apparatus, similar to barre or rhythmic gymnastics.

How has the pandemic impacted your own personal fitness regime?

It has prompted me to get a pole of my own at home as impending lockdowns are just waiting to happen again. The pandemic has largely affected heaps of us athletes as we had to scramble to find alternatives, especially if we require apparatus or equipment. 

I had to tweak my exercises to accommodate the confined space of a HDB flat, which was a real challenge. It was relatively manageable for me to find my own alternatives as I have prior fitness knowledge, however, it would be difficult for those who are new to fitness and in that case, their progress would either plateau or decline.

How do you think pole or aerial fitness has changed since the start of the pandemic? 

What used to be a studio that could initially take 12 students dropped to only accepting 8 students. This is a huge loss to studios and it also deprived the opportunities for the many students who are keen to take classes. With the new arrangements, we had to open a few more classes to cater to the large client base, which meant an increased opportunity for instructors with more energy spent. 

The major change though, is the requirement for masks to be worn in studios even when engaging in our apparatus. It may not seem like it but our sport delivers a good balance of cardio, strength and endurance, all of which is equivalent to a session at the gym. So when mask restrictions were put in place for dance studios, we struggled big time with breathing initially, especially the instructors who had to speak while engaging in the exercise. It did get better over time, after a few months of getting used to the mask.

Why should people try unconventional sports like pole and aerial?

You'll never know if you enjoy something unless you try it. What's more, it's an alternative to the usual weightlifting or running at the gym. And for those who have always dreamed of dancing but are shy to, swing by and you'll understand what I mean by the inclusivity of the pole and aerial community!

For 26-year-old Krystle, sports has always been an integral part of her life. And despite her first love for graphic design, the urge to join the fitness industry overpowered all. As such, she is now a Personal Trainer at Level Singapore, specialising in strength training and lifting.

Tell us about your journey with fitness.

I've always been an active person; especially since my schooling days, where P.E. was my favourite subject and I participated in team sports such as netball, kayaking, and dragonboat. I only began lifting weights sometime in 2016, as I had wanted to start working out and getting healthier after being relatively inactive during my polytechnic years. I discovered Crossfit and decided to try it out – that was my first official introduction into the strength training and weight lifting world. After around a year of 7 am workouts, 5 days a week (totally of my own will, haha), I realised I only enjoyed the strength workouts; pushing to lift heavier and get better at each movement was what drove me to wake up at 5.30 every morning. 

A powerlifting coach reached out to me around this time and said I had some potential for it, and asked if I’d be keen to try it out. So I did! I then switched over to powerlifting and competed in the Singapore Powerlifting Open in 2017. I loved lifting heavy, but most of all, I loved feeling stronger by the day and loved looking better too! Lifting empowered me to feel confident in my body – not just in how it looked, but in what it could do – which was not something I’d experienced before it. 

That’s essentially how I started my fitness journey. Although, my goals and training style has changed quite a lot since then!

You made a career change during the pandemic. What prompted you to join the fitness industry during this time?

I actually already had experience in the industry, so I was just returning to a career I knew I had a lot of passion for! Back in 2018, I took a leap of faith and left my design career to pursue fitness – something that had (and has) become a great passion. Working as a Personal Trainer made me love strength training and bodybuilding so much more! Being in the gym every day meant that I could try new workouts and machines, learn from my fellow PTs, and just be exposed to different ways of training. Helping my clients achieve their goals and feel that same confidence that I felt when I first started training made me so much more driven to be better – to gain as much knowledge as I could, not just to become a better trainer, but also so that I could be a better lifter.

I sadly had to leave the industry and return to a job doing graphic design with "regular office hours" sometime in late 2019, as I had a part-time degree that I needed to complete. However, even as I was leaving, I already knew for sure that a career in the fitness industry was the only career I wanted to pursue, so I actively looked for opportunities to return to it. In April 2021, just as I felt ready to return to the fitness industry, the opportunity to join Level came up! It really was just about being at the right place at the right time, and there was no doubt in my mind about whether it was the right move for me; even during the height of the pandemic, as I had known for a long time that I'd make the switch back into being a coach the moment I had the chance to.

What do you think about the demand for fitness instructors during the pandemic?

The demand for instructors and trainers probably increased, if not remained the same, during the height of the pandemic (AKA Circuit Breaker), as people who used to regularly attend group classes or personal training sessions ended up being stuck in their homes all day, not being able to move about and be as active as they were before. This did lead to virtual coaching and virtual classes becoming the norm, and we did see good attendance throughout as people still wanted that guidance and the extra push during a workout that only a trainer can provide.

As we slowly emerge from the pandemic, the demand has definitely been slowly increasing, as people want to regain a sense of normalcy and get back into their routines. Apart from having to be extra aware of cleanliness, social distancing, and mask-wearing, gyms are pretty much back to normal! I think people are now prioritising their health and are itching to resume, or get started on their fitness journeys, after the pandemic showed us how important health (both mental and physical) is.

Have you seen more sign-ups for personal training in recent months than before? If so, do you think the pandemic has directly prompted more people to work on their health and fitness routines?

Yes, there have been a decent amount of new clients coming in! I think it's a combination of people who have set health and fitness as a goal for the new year, as well as people who are emerging from their pandemic bubbles. The pandemic has definitely reminded people to prioritise their health and care for their physical as well as their mental health. I do think it's also made people cherish their time at the gym and have a greater appreciation for instructors, gym equipment and facilities, given the fact that gyms were affected by the multiple closures across the heightened alerts.

Why do you think some people (your clients, for example) opt for personal training at gyms compared to on their own?

Personal training provides a client with the guidance and assurance they need when they're just starting out on their fitness journey. Most people, especially women, want to start strength training but have no idea how or where to begin, and even feel intimidated to step into the gym on their own at times. Having a coach will help you get started on your journey in the safest and most efficient way possible, as a coach is not just someone who stands next to you and counts the number of reps you have done, but is someone who will impart their own knowledge and experience onto you to help you learn how to move better and lift safely. 

A coach will also keep you accountable to your goals, and ensure that you're pushing hard at the gym, eating a balanced and nutritious diet, and prioritising recovery. Any good strength training coach will also be able to write a program completely catered to your needs and goals. While you can definitely pick up knowledge of all these things while working out on your own, having a coach to guide you will definitely make the process less intimidating and much faster.